Emergency housing

ABSTRACT

An emergency and temporary building system is shown. The system allows for a flexible building approach where a variety of structures can be built from the same basic components. The system allows a building to be quickly erected with a few basic tools. Components of the system are assembled using three basic clips. Components of the building system include a flat square panel and a plank having a slanted edge that can be clipped to the panel and to other planks to make a frame to contain the panel. Doors, windows, screens, plumbing and electrical connections can be made by replacing the standard flat panel with special panels for each application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to emergency or temporarystructures. It is known in the industry to provide structures that canbe quickly assembled for emergency or temporary use. Such buildingsbreakdown in some way for shipment to a remote site, assembly usuallyrequires a minimum of tools. Modern building systems take into accountthe need for electricity, plumbing and the need for communication lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The system uses a basic plank and panel to make up most of thestructure. These basic flat pieces can be quickly assembled and securedin place using clips. Though simple in its basic form the system can beadapted with custom pieces for special applications and systems can becombined to make a variety of larger buildings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0003]FIG. 1 is a view of a single structure;

[0004]FIG. 2 is a view of three structures combined;

[0005]FIG. 3 is a view of parts of the device packaged for shipping;

[0006]FIGS. 4, 4 (a), 4(b) and 4 (c) are views of a plank;

[0007]FIG. 5 is a view of a partial structure under construction;

[0008]FIGS. 6 and 6 (a) shows a panel;

[0009]FIG. 7 shows detail of a plank to panel connection;

[0010]FIG. 8 shows a partially exploded view of the detail of a plank toplank connection;

[0011]FIG. 9 shows a center support column;

[0012]FIG. 10 shows a detail of the hinge clip and;

[0013]FIG. 11 shows further detail of the plank to panel connection

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a view of the system assembled into a building (10).The basis of the system arises from two basic building pieces, the panel(12) and the plank (14). Panels (12) and planks (14) fit together toform the basic building. In addition there are several special piecesthat allow for the construction of a complete system (10). Edge pieces(16) and corner pieces (18) are used with the planks (14) in specialareas such as the edges and corners of the building as well as aroundlarger openings such as the door (20). In addition to standard flatpanels (12) the system also includes special panels (24). These specialpanels include fixed or hinged windows, screens or vents. There is alsoa special panel to allow for the installation of utilities such aselectricity, phone lines or water. The corners (18) include a hole (22)that allow for ropes to pass through that can be used to tie the systemdown if needed. The components of this system could be formed of anymaterial but would most likely be formed from plastic or fiberglass thatcan be efficiently formed into the shapes needed.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows how building sets can be combined to build a largerstructure (30). Systems can be combined by placing individual buildingsnext to each other as shown in FIG. 2 or by combining sets to build onelarger structure. Systems can be combined to build structures ofdiffering shape and of different height.

[0016]FIG. 3 shows how the flat planks (14) can be stacked on pallets(40) for shipment to a site for building. The flat panels (12) can beshipped in similar stacks. Though not shown it would also be possible toship assembled frames (90), see FIG. 5, to a work site as well.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows the details of one plank (14). The plank (14) ismostly hollow. Ribs (50) of material create pockets (52) of air space.Four clip pockets (54) allow the plank (14) to be connected to the nextadjacent plank. Six clip pockets (56) allow the plank to be connected toa panel (12) or to an adjacent plank (14) on a building edge. FIG. 4ashows a cross section of the pockets (52) that reduce weight of thepiece. As can be seen in side view 4 b the plank (14) is relativelyflat, FIG. 4c shows the chamfered connectors (58) that form pockets(56).

[0018]FIG. 5 shows several panels (12), planks (14), an edge piece (16),and a corner piece (18) connected together with clips (60) and (62). Thepanels (12) and planks (14) have edges beveled at 45 degree angles wherethey meet whereas the planks (14), edges pieces (16) and corners (18)meet in butt joints. These two types of joints require different typesof clips. These clips are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Once connectedtogether the panels and planks form a relatively rigid structure. Thesimplicity of the system is that the panels and planks are universal tothe floors, walls and roof of the temporary structure. FIG. 5 also showsa special utility panel (112) that has holes (116) for electrical,communications and plumbing lines to pass through. These lines wouldneed to be trenched in under the structure prior to laying the floor.The utility panel (112) also has a square pocket (118) designed to holda central roof support column (140) shown in FIG. 9. This optionalcolumn would be used in any application where a significant roof loadwere expected such as in snow. Also shown is a frame (90). The frame(90) consists of four planks (14) clipped together prior to placing thepanel (12) in.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows the standard panel (12). Like the plank (14) thepanel (12) has pockets (70) to reduce the weight and cost of the moldedpanel. Each panel (12) has twelve clip pockets (72) that allow them tobe joined to four planks, one plank (14) on each panel edge. Tabs (74)cooperate with notches (55) in each plank (14) to give the structure itsrigidity once the panels (12) are clipped to a planks (14). Optionalpanels such as window not shown, screen not shown and vent panels (24)would attach in the same way as the standard panels (12). FIG. 6(a)shows an edge on view of the standard panel.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a partial edge on view of the connected plank (14)and panel (12). This connection uses clip (60). This view shows gasketor caulk material (80) that can be used to seal joints. Once a panel isconnected to the structure, it can be lifted out and changed simply byremoving the clips that hold it in place.

[0021]FIG. 8 shows a view of two planks (14) ready to be connected. Thisconnection uses the clip (62) which fits into the side by side slots(54) on the two planks.

[0022]FIG. 9 shows the roof support column (140) that can be built upfrom special planks (130) that are also used to build the door (20). Theroof support column (140) cooperates with pockets (118) in specialutility panels (112) in the floor and roof.

[0023]FIG. 10 shows the hinged clip (132) used to support the door (20).

[0024]FIG. 11 shows detail on the panel to plank joint. Specifically itshows how the tabs (74) cooperate with the notches (55) to create astable connection between the two elements.

[0025] In operation, the structure is set up by first clearing a flatarea of ground approximately large enough for 9 panel squares. Startingwith the floor, lay four planks (14) on the ground in the center of thearea and connect together using clips (62) to form a first frame. Addthree more planks (14) to one side to make another frame, and so onuntil a three by three frame square floor is created using twenty fourplanks (14) and thirty six clips (62). Then nine panels (12) are set inthe frames and clipped in place using 108 clips (60). If needed theutility panel (112) replaces one of the nine standard panels (12) in thefloor. This completes the floor. Then two additional four plank frames(90) are created off to the side. In one corner of the floor these twoframes (90) are placed to create a corner as shown in FIG. 5. Repeatingthis process around the base creates the walls on all four sides. Gapscreated around the perimeter of the floor are filled with corner pieces(18) and edge pieces (16) as shown in FIG. 5. Then a second layer ofplanks (14) and panels (12) are added to complete the walls. Window andvent panels can be substituted where desirable for the standard panels(12).

[0026] To build the system roof, connect four planks (14) to make aframe (90) and place it in a top corner, repeat for each of four topcorners. Then complete a fifth frame of four planks (14) and connect itto each frame in the roof corners. This creates a self supporting roofplank system to which the rest of the panels (12) can be added tocomplete the roof. Again corners (18) and edges (16) fill in the gapsalong the perimeter. Although the roof system is self supporting, theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes the provision for a utility panel(112) having a central aperture (118) that allows the user to erect acentral post 140 under the roof. This will keep the roof from saggingunder a snow load for example. Also as shown in FIG. 7, caulking orgasket material (80) can be placed at any seam to prevent leaking.

[0027] If desired a door (20) can be installed. Use two door planks(130) and two panels (12) to make the door (20) and connect in placeusing hinged clips (132). Although a special utility panel (112) isshown, that panel could be created by cutting holes (116) and pocket(118) in a standard panel (12). Also it will be understood that standardpre-hung doors, support columns and windows could be attached to thesystem instead of using the special pieces shown.

[0028] Though shown with nine panels making up the floor and with thewalls as two frames high it would be obvious to use various size framesand different numbers of frames to make and infinite variety of sizesand shapes of building based on the basic building shown.

What is claimed is:
 1. A building system including a relatively flatsquare panel having a side length, a plank having a first edge the samelength as said panel side length, first slot means on said panel andsecond slot means on said plank that allow them to be clipped togetherwith a first clip, a first extended portion of said plank extendingbeyond said panel side length such that planks on adjacent sides of saidpanel can be joined by a second clip to form a ridged frame of plankssurrounding said panel.
 2. The building system of claim 1 wherein saidfirst clip and said second clip are made from spring steel.
 3. Thebuilding system of claim 1 wherein the plank has a second edge parallelto said first edge and wherein said plank has a second extending portionon an end of said plank opposite said first extending portion; andwherein said first and second extending portions consist of a triangularportion having slotted legs.
 4. The building system of claim 3 whereinthe first and second edge of each plank is chamfered at 45 degrees suchthat a right angled edge for said building system can be built byplacing two planks adjacent to one another at a right angle.
 5. Thebuilding system of claim 1 wherein the plank and panel are molded andinclude weight reducing pockets void of material and separated bystrengthening ribs.
 6. A building system including a plurality ofrelatively flat square panels each having a side length, a plurality ofplanks each having a first and second edge the same length as said panelside length, first slot means on each said panel and second slot meanson each said plank that allow said panel to be connected by a first clipto said first edge of one of said planks, a first extended portion ofsaid plank extending beyond said panel side length such that planks onadjacent sides of each said square panel can be joined by a second clipto form a ridged frame of planks surrounding each said panel.
 7. Thebuilding system of claim 6 wherein the system can be assembled by firstclipping together 4 said planks to form a frame around an opening andthen inserting one of said panels into said opening and clipping it toeach of the 4 said planks
 8. The building system of claim 7 including afloor assembled from nine of said frames.
 9. The building system ofclaim 8 wherein one of said panels is replaced with a special panel toallow for utility connections into the building system.
 10. The buildingsystem of claim 6 wherein the planks on adjacent sides of said panelmeet at a 45 degree angle adjacent to a corner of said panel and whereinthe planks are connected by a spring steel clip.
 11. The building systemof claim 10 wherein caulk is used to seal a joint created where saidplanks meet.
 12. The building system of claim 6 wherein said panel sidelengths and said plank first and second edges are chamfered with 45degrees faces and wherein said 45 degree faces include tabs and notchesto strengthen said frame once the panel is inserted.
 13. A buildingsystem including a plurality of relatively flat square frames, eachsquare frame having a side length, each frame made up of four planksclipped together to form said frame with an opening and a square panelto fit in said opening, a plurality of first slots on each edge of saidpanel and a plurality of second slots on each said plank that allow saidpanel to be connected by a first set of clips to a first edge of each ofsaid four planks, a first extended portion of each said plank extendingbeyond said panel side length such that the planks on adjacent sides ofeach said square panel can be joined by a second set of clips to form aridged frame of planks surrounding each said panel.
 14. The buildingsystem of claim 13 wherein each said plank has 6 sides on a face and athickness, wherein the 6 sides include the first edge and a second edgespaced and parallel to said first edge, and a first two shorter sidesforming a 45 degree angle on one end of said plank and a second twoshorter sides forming a second 45 degree angle on an opposite end ofsaid plank and wherein said planks on adjacent sides of each said squarepanel are joined by said second set of clips.
 15. The building system ofclaim 13 wherein said frames can be joined at their edges to create afloor, walls and a roof.
 16. The building system of claim 15 whereinpanels in said walls can be replaced with screens to allow for air topass through said walls.
 17. The building system of claim 15 whereinedge and corner pieces are used to create a portion of an edge betweensaid floor and each of said walls.
 18. The building system of claim 13wherein said panels and said planks can be shipped to a building site onpallets.
 19. The building system of claim 13 wherein the panels andplanks are molded.